End of 2011

I had a great idea for an end to 2011 beginning of 2012 post but I woke up this morning with a horrible sinus headache that has stuck around all day. That post will have to wait. Instead I found this neat quiz on my sister's blog Baby Makes Four and it's requires about the only amount of brain power I have left for the day!

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before? 

We bought a house!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don't remember if I made any resolutions last year. I'm hoping to get that post up about next year in the next few days!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My sister To an absolutely beautiful little boy. I never knew how much love you could have for someone else's children until my niece & nephew were born. 

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No thank God.

5. What countries did you visit?

Stayed close to home

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

A new baby!

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

April 18 (the day my husband began his new job after 6 months unemployment) October 17 (the day we closed on our new house) October 13 (the birth of our nephew) 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Not losing my mind through the process of looking for, finding, trying to get, eventually getting & then moving into our new home

9. What was your biggest failure?

I can't really say I had any failures. Little moments of not having the most patience with my husband & daughters but I wouldn't call that a failure

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nope just a few colds & sinus infections

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Our house!!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Ree's. She's lived in 3 houses in her 2 years of life; dealt with having Daddy home everyday for six months to him being back at work & gone for 12 hours a day or more lately; and another move in the past few months. For a 2 year old she has done splendidly! I am so proud to be her Momma

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Someone not close to me but whose behavior has affected people I love dearly.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Our new house

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

A new job for my husband, our new house and the birth of our nephew!

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?

Katy Perry's "Firework". Ree LOVES LOVES LOVES that song. We bought a cd with it on it and whenever we are in the car that is (usually) the only song she lets us play, it's on repeat. 

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? Probably about the same
c) richer or poorer? poorer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Enjoying the small moments that make up our life

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Worrying about the future. We've got steady income, a roof over our head and food in our bellies. This time last year I wish I'd trusted in God just a bit better and not worried so much!

Also, spending mindless time on the computer. (This is what Megan had written too!)

20. How did you spend Christmas?

We spend Christmas Eve at my mom's with her side of the family; we slept over there & opened presents with my sister & parents that morning; then we went to Massachusetts to celebrate with my sister-in-law then we went to my sister's house to for dessert & more presents.

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?

Just more in love with my wonderful little family

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I "found" Grey's Anatomy. Thanks to my mom lending me the past seasons I'm caught up to season 5. I'm loving it!

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

I try not to hate people. People who say they are adults and yet act like children don't have my respect though 

24. What was the best book you read?

I've been reading lots of "mindless" books the past few months. My brother-in-law has been lending me the books from the Eragon series. I'm really enjoying them!

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

We haven't been listening to much music except "Firework"

26. What did you want and get?

A steady income & a new house

27. What did you want and not get?

A new baby

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

The only film we went to see was the last of the Harry Potter series

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 29 and honestly can't remember what I did! Most likely had a dinner with my family! I'm really looking forward to the year's though!!

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

To be honest I can't think of anything! I think 2011 was a pretty good year and I'm very much looking forward to see what 2012 has in store for my family!

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

Jeans & sweaters for the colder weather; short sleeved shirts & capris in the summer

32. What kept you sane?

My husband. He is always my rock.  (Taken from Megan because this totally applies to me as well)

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

What is wrong with me? I can't even think of any... (same as Megan)

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

I try not to pay too much attention to those things. I suppose I should and this coming year is an election year so I'll start paying a little bit more 

35. Who did you miss?

No one in particular. I am very lucky to be able to see those I love most on a regular basis

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Not a "new" person but in 2011 I've had the opportunity to get reacquainted with a good friend from high school. We haven't seen each other hardly at all for about 10 years but she moved back home this year & we've been seeing each other fairly regularly. It's very nice!

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.

No matter what God is in control. We can't do anything about it except trust in His Almighty plan. And His plan is always the one that is best for us!

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. 

"Baby you're a firework". That songs been our "theme" song all year so that's what comes to mind!

Happy New Year!

This Moment

.{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Joining Amanda at SouleMama for this week's "This Moment"

December 29

Ree is fighting a cold this week so we've been taking it easy & staying home for the most part. This afternoon she wanted to open her new Curious George Matching game that she got for Christmas. We spent almost an hour matching the pieces & she kept telling me who everyone was.  

 These 2 pictures are of my Christmas tree. I read on someone's blog earlier in the week that they took a picture of the lights while moving the camera. So I decided to try it & I think it looks neat!

I've been reading that many people have already taken down their Christmas decorations. I haven't even thought of it yet. It was only this afternoon that I even began to start putting away all our gifts. I think I'll miss the lights the most. One of my favorite times of the day is sitting in the late afternoon with a cup of tea & the tree on! 

December 27

Yesterday was a repeat of the day after Christmas. Except the husband had to go back to work and Ree & I got dressed. Other then that we relaxed at home playing with all her new things.

I had made a goal for myself to finish all the unfinished knitting projects in my Ravelry project page before the New Year. There's only 3 things and they all are pretty close to being done.

Instead yesterday I sat & cast on for a new pair of socks for me! It's the Lattice Socks pattern. I like it but it's a pattern that I need to concentrate on...not so good with an active toddler around who loves to help me knit! It's also the first time knitting with all 5 double pointed needles. But I believe the finished product will be well worth it!

Christmas 2011

Christmas 2011 was about as perfect as it could be! 

Full of family; food; good times and a happy toddler. Despite a very late Christmas Eve; an earlier then usual Christmas Morning and no nap Christmas day full of fun and travel Ree was perfect.

Today was spent doing a whole bunch of enjoying new toys. There were still 8 presents left to unwrap. Stocking to open (of which she opened 2 presents and didn't anymore so that's still left). We watched movies; stayed in our pajamas all day and took naps on the couch and in bed. There was pizza for dinner and now more playing with new things.

All in all it was a wonderful past few days. We're all very happy that the Christmas season has only just begun and there are still 10 more days left to celebrate!

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

December 21--Yarn Along

Today is going to be a busy day spent with my sister and my niece & nephew. Because I already had pictures of Ree wearing her new Momma made hat I decided to join Ginny at Small things for her weekly Yarn Along

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs.  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~ 

Excuse the messy face! She had just finished supper & spotted it and actually wanted to wear it!! I didn't know how long that would last so I snapped a few quick pictures. She wore it until bath time & only took it off because we made her!

I found Amanda's Rosa Pattern about a year ago and new I wanted to make the hats for Ree & myself. Because Amanda's family loves to celebrate the Winter Solstice I decided to make this Ree's Solstice Hat. I finished yesterday and cast on my matching one. I don't think mine will be finished by tomorrow though! Because of the hat knitting & Christmas preparing I haven't been reading anything the past few days!

December 20

 Candy Cane Hershey Kisses. Delicious!!!!

 I came across the recipe for Candy Cane Blossoms via pintrest a few weeks ago & ever since I've been dying to try them!

This afternoon I had it all planned out that Ree & I would have a great time together baking them. Well. First the unopened still packaged red sprinkles fell out of her hand and scattered all over the floor. Then she was "afraid" of the mixer. Then she didn't want to help roll the dough because it was sticky. So I had fun making them while she "baked" with her Melissa & Doug cookies!

They came out delicious & I hope a few stick around for Christmas!!

December 19

Today lists were made:

supper plan for the week

baking lists

shopping lists

things to do lists

So many things still to finish before the "Big Day"

But I took time this afternoon to sit with a cup of hot chocolate and my knitting while Ree was sleeping.

Errands were run early this evening; supper was made; husband was home after a 12 hour day at 7:15. Kitchen is cleaned & now we're enjoying some family time before tomorrow brings pretty much the same.

Except there will be baking tomorrow. I WILL be making these candy cane blossoms even ff nothing else gets done!

Weekend before Christmas

This weekend was full of fun family time. Saturday evening we had a pizza & movie watching night, just the three of us.  Ree has been asking for a scarf "like Momma" so during the movie I cast on for one. She "helped" a whole bunch by holding on to the knitting needles.

On Sunday I cast on for a hat (top picture) for Ree and made pillsbury sugar cookies to bring to my sister-in-law's. I think I'm in denial that Christmas is next weekend!

"Happy's"

 Ever since Ree was a newborn at this time of year she's loved to look at the Christmas lights. Many nights after we first brought her home from the hospital the Christmas tree lights were our night light. After her feeding I'd stand in front of it and rock back and forth as she watched them.

 Not much has changed in 2 years! She was so excited to have lights outside this year. Even having us go outside in the rain the first night we turned them on so she could see them!

This time of year my favorite time of day is around twilight. I put the tree on, finish up my afternoon cup of tea and prepare to start supper. Something about the lights is very peaceful!

Christmas Tour

I came across a Christmas Tour of Homes at the nester and decided to take a few shots of our home's decorations!

 Our Christmas dish set is the "Winterberry" Collection. I LOVE it!

 I would like a lighted star topper some day but I do like our silver one for now!

 I came across this idea on Pintrest awhile ago. It's one of the few things that I've "pinned" that I've actually done!

 One of the many Advent calendars we have!

The "wreath" on our front door!

This is only a small portion of our Christmas decorations but they are some of my very favorites!

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

I love this idea of Amanda's. I'm planning on posting a picture each Friday and at the end of the year (next year) make a photo book of my "This Moments".

December 12

 The day after a busy, fun weekend sometimes feels like a little bit of a let down. Yesterday felt that way a little except for the promise of Christmas less then 2 weeks away. We spent the day cleaning and relaxing. And of course playing with all the new toys!

I had big plans to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. A craft; reading; and a special dessert. None of those happened for no other reason than I just didn't do any of it. Instead this picture from a week ago will have to do.

Weekending

 We had such a busy, fun filled weekend! Saturday was spent cooking; baking; crafting; sewing & decorating. Play-doh and cupcake liners kept Ree busy for over an hour and a half while I made 4 dozen meatballs & two batches of cupcakes!

 All those preparations were for a special little girl's 2nd birthday party! As Curious George is her all time love at the moment we had a George themed party. 

The ideas for the garland and the cupcake toppers were all found on Pinterest. I am LOVING that site. I've pinned so many ideas that my 2012 goals are to actually start using all the ideas I find there!

First week of December

 The first week of December has been unseasonably beautiful out. If you like warmer temperatures that is!

 We've enjoyed the first "fire" of the year and also had the surprise of a December dandelion picked by Ree. 

We've had a 2nd birthday celebration; a Baptism; put up Christmas lights inside & out; wrapped; shopped; knitted & sewed. 

We've done so many things that makes us, in the words of the new 2 year old "I Happy". 

Here's to seeing what next week brings!